On to Libby, Montana

We said our farewells, and were off mid-morning. It was an easy drive from the Sprague's to US Highway 2, traveling north along a quiet and scenic two-lane road.




About 40 miles later, we crossed into Idaho across the Pend Oreille River and continued along the scenic, dotted road on the map known as the International Selkirk Loop. The road followed the river then the banks of Lake Pend Oreille. 

At Bonners Ferry, we filled up at the conveniently located Pacific Pride and 18 miles later crossed into Montana then continued to Libby, nestled in the Cabinet Mountains in the heart of the Kootenai National Forest.  

We were surrounded by spectacular scenery, between the mountains, the forests, various tributaries of rivers, and occasional valley meadows. 

A railroad followed the highway, and we saw a couple of trains. 

On the approach to Libby, we hugged the Kootenai River which flows through this narrow canyon. I noticed a taxidermy business that caught my eye. The sign said: Wildlife Recapture.

Woodland RV Park certainly has an eyecatching sign at its entrance. 

The park was fairly empty, the owner very friendly and welcoming. 
He suggested a few attractions close by, so once we parked and were hooked up, we headed off in search of the Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge. 

A short hike led us to the amazing falls and rushing Kootenai River. Although it's already late summer, there was an impressive amount of water and I can only imagine how much more water must flow through here during the spring melt.

The water was crystal clear and the color a deep aqua. 

The swinging bridge was worth the hike and 64-stair climb to reach it. I crossed fingers that it would not collapse as I wobbled my way across and back.

I concluded that it's a good thing I was never interested in tight-rope walking because the bridge was so high above the rushing river below that I dared not look down for fear of becoming dizzy.

The information boards explained the geology of this rock, called the Belt Supergroup. 

Another display explained that the river is named for the Kootenai People that lived and hunted in this part of Montana and the adjoining territories in Idaho and Canada. There are seven bands of Kootenai People, five in Southern British Columbia, one in Idaho and one in Montana. The river was central to the economic life of the Kootenai People as an important traditional fishing area.
White Sturgeon and Bull Trout populate the river. For the Kootenai People, the White Sturgeon held a cultural and religious significance, even their canoes took the shape and name (sturgeon-nosed canoes).